Row driven imager pixel

ABSTRACT

An imaging system includes a pixel that does not require a row select transistor. Instead, an operating voltage is selectively provided to the pixel&#39;s readout circuitry, and the readout circuitry provides output signals based on charge or voltage of a storage node. The operating voltage can be selectively provided to each row of a pixel array by a row driver. Each pixel includes a source follower transistor that provides an output signal on a column output line for readout. An anti-blooming transistor may be linked to each pixel&#39;s photosensor to provide an overflow path for electrons during charge integration, prior to transfer of charge to the pixel&#39;s storage node by a transfer transistor. Electrons not produced by an image are introduced to the photosensor prior to image acquisition, filling traps in the photosensor to reduce image degradation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to improving the control and operation of an imager pixel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An imager, for example, a CMOS imager includes a focal plane array of pixel cells; each cell includes a photosensor, for example, a photogate, photoconductor or a photodiode overlying a substrate for producing a photo-generated charge in a doped region of the substrate. A readout circuit is provided for each pixel cell and typically includes at least a source follower transistor and a row select transistor for coupling the source follower transistor to a column output line. The pixel cell also typically has a charge storage node, for example, a floating diffusion node which is, in turn, connected to the gate of the source follower transistor. Charge generated by the photosensor is stored at the storage node. In some arrangements, the imager may also include a transistor for transferring charge from the photosensor to the storage node. The imager also typically includes a transistor to reset the storage node before it receives photo-generated charges.

In a CMOS imager pixel cell, for example, a four transistor (4T) pixel cell 100 as depicted in FIG. 1, the active elements of a pixel cell perform the functions of (1) photon to charge conversion by photodiode 102; (2) transfer of charge to the floating diffusion node 108 by the transfer transistor 104; (3) resetting the floating diffusion node to a known state before the transfer of charge to it by reset transistor 106; (4) selection of a pixel cell for readout by row select transistor 112; and (5) output and amplification of a signal representing a reset voltage and a pixel signal voltage based on the photo converted charges by source follower transistor 110, which has its gate connected to the floating diffusion node 108. The pixel of FIG. 1 is formed on a semiconductor substrate as part of an imager device pixel array.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a CMOS imager device 908 having a pixel array 200 with each pixel cell being constructed as described above, or as other known pixel cell circuits. Pixel array 200 comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a predetermined number of columns and rows (not shown). The pixels of each row in array 200 are all turned on at the same time by a row selected line, and the pixels of each column are selectively output by respective column select lines. A plurality of rows and column lines are provided for the entire array 200. The row lines are selectively activated in sequence by the row driver 210 in response to row address decoder 220 and the column select lines are selectively activated in sequence for each row activation by the column driver 260 in response to column address decoder 270. Thus, a row and column address is provided for each pixel.

The CMOS imager is operated by control circuit 250, which controls address decoders 220, 270 for selecting the appropriate row and column lines for pixel readout, and row and column driver circuitry 210, 260 which apply driving voltage to the drive transistors of the selected row and column lines. The pixel output signals typically include a pixel reset signal V_(rst), taken off of the floating diffusion node 108 when it is reset by reset transistor 106 and a pixel image signal V_(sig), which is taken off the floating diffusion node 108 after photo-generated charges generated by an image are transferred to it. The V_(rst) and V_(sig) signals are read by a sample and hold circuit 265 and are subtracted by a differential amplifier 267, which produces a signal V_(rst)-V_(sig) for each pixel, which represents the amount of light impinging on the pixels. This difference signal is digitized by an analog to digital converter 275. The digitized pixel signals are then fed to an image processor 280 to form a digital image. The digitizing and image processing can be located on or off the imager chip. In some arrangements the differential signal V_(rst)-V_(sig) can be amplified as a differential signal and directly digitized by a differential analog to digital converter.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional four transistor (4T) pixel requires an operating voltage Vcc, as well as transfer TG, row select ROW and reset RST control signals for operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Method and apparatus embodiments of the present invention provide a new pixel design for an imager in which the pixel is operated with a row driver signal which supplies operating power and selects the pixel for operation and readout, and a reset and transfer control signal.

In one exemplary embodiment, the pixel cell includes a photosensor, a transfer transistor operated by a transfer control signal, a storage node for receiving transferred charges from the photosensor, reset transistor for the resetting of the storage node operated by a reset control signal and output transistor having a gate coupled to the storage node and receiving operating power and providing a selective readout in response to the row driver signal.

In another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, the pixel cell having the foregoing construction can be operated to precharge the photosensor with electrons to mitigate against loss of photo-generated image charges during charge transfer to the storage node.

In another exemplary embodiment, the pixel cell includes an anti-blooming transistor coupled to the row driver signal and photosensor which provides an overflow path for electrons to reduce over saturation of the photosensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional four transistor pixel;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional imager device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for shutter operation of the FIG. 3 embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a voltage threshold diagram for a pinned photodiode used in the FIG. 3 embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram for charge readout of the FIG. 3 embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram of a pixel according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram for shutter operation of the FIG. 7 embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a processing system which employs an imager employing an array of pixels constructed in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of the specification, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments whereby the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical, and electrical changes, as well as changes in the materials used, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, certain processing steps are described and a particular order of processing steps is disclosed; however, the sequence of steps is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of steps or acts necessarily occurring in a certain order.

The terms “wafer” and “substrate” are to be understood as interchangeable and as including silicon, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) or silicon-on-sapphire (SOS), doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of silicon supported by a base semiconductor foundation, and other semiconductor structures. Furthermore, when reference is made to a “wafer” or “substrate” in the following description, previous process steps may have been utilized to form regions, junctions or material layers in or on the base semiconductor structure or foundation. In addition, the semiconductor need not be silicon-based, but could be based on silicon-germanium, germanium, gallium arsenide, or other known semiconductor materials.

The term “pixel” refers to a photo-element unit cell containing a photoconversion device or photosensor and transistors for processing an electrical signal from electromagnetic radiation sensed by the photoconversion device such as imager 908 (FIG. 2). The embodiments of pixels discussed herein are illustrated and described as employing three transistor (3T) or four transistor (4T) pixel circuits for the sake of example only. It should be understood that the invention may be used with other pixel arrangements having more than three transistors.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to the architecture and fabrication of one pixel cell, it should be understood that this is representative of a plurality of pixels in an array of an imager device such as imager 908 (FIG. 2). In addition, although the invention is described below with reference to a CMOS imager, the invention has applicability to any solid state imaging device having pixels. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary circuit 300 for a pixel of a CMOS imager according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The pixel includes a photosensor, e.g. a photodiode 302, transfer transistor 304, a floating diffusion node 306, and a reset and readout circuit including reset transistor 308, source follower transistor 312 and row driver circuit 310. Row driver circuit 310 supplies operating power and reset voltage levels to the pixel 300 in the form of a row driver signal ROW_DRIVER, which can be provided in the same manner as row driver 210 (FIG. 2). It should be understood, that when the pixel 300 is employed in a pixel array, a plurality of like pixels are arranged in rows and columns and all pixels in a row receive ROW_DRIVER from a common row driver circuit 310 while all pixels in a column are coupled to provide output signals on a common column line 313.

The illustrated pixel 300 is formed on a semiconductor substrate. The photodiode 302 generates and accumulates signal charge in response to incident light during a charge integration period. After the integration period, the charge is transferred via the transfer transistor 304 to the floating diffusion node 306. Shutter timing signals are used to initiate a charge integration operation of the pixel 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates the shutter timing signals for operating the FIG. 3 pixel. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, initially, at time t1, the signal ROW_DRIVER is set low and thereafter the gate control signals for transfer transistor 304 (TX_EN) and reset transistor 308 (RST_EN) are set high at time t2 causing electrons to fill photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306. ROW_DRIVER is provided to a channel terminal of reset transistor 308, illustratively the source terminal. The electrons are drawn to the photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306 because both photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306 are initially at a higher potential Vpin, for example, 2.3 volts. When ROW_DRIVER is set low the actual voltage of ROW_DRIVER still remains above ground (for example, 0.1 volts) to prevent an injection of electrons into the substrate. With row driver 310 set low and an influx of electrons flowing into photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306, the potential of photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306 is subsequently reduced to, for example, 0.1 volts.

Next, while the gate control signals for transfer transistor 304 and reset transistor 308 remain high, the ROW_DRIVER signal is set high at time t3. This drains the electrons from photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306, thereby resetting photodiode 302 to Vpin. In addition, any electron traps within photodiode 302 caused by an inherent barrier voltage Vbarrier (FIG. 5 discussed below) are filled with electrons previously introduced to photodiode 302 when ROW_DRIVER was set low. The timing illustrated at t2 and t3 is for precharging the photosensor with electrons to mitigate against the loss of photo-generated image charges during charge transfer to the storage node, this precharging is an optional operation.

Next, while RST_EN and ROW_DRIVER remain high, TX_EN is set low at time t4. This turns off transfer transistor 304 and photodiode 302 is now isolated from the floating diffusion node 306. With photodiode 302 reset to Vpin and isolated from floating diffusion node 306, charge integration for photodiode 302 now begins.

Next, while RST_EN is high and TX_EN is low, ROW_DRIVER is set low at time t5. Setting ROW_DRIVER low forces the floating diffusion node 306 to a potential of approximately 0.1 volts, which turns off source follower transistor 312 to isolate the output bus shared by pixels in each column.

Next, while TX_EN and ROW_DRIVER are low, RST_EN is set also low at time t6. This turns off reset transistor 308 low and floating diffusion node 306 is isolated from the ROW_DRIVER signal. Since the floating diffusion node 306 is also now set low there is no output from the source follower transistor 312.

The shutter timing signals in FIG. 4 can be applied concurrently to all pixels in an imager array 200 (FIG. 2). As a result, all photodiodes 302 in the array begin integration concurrently and all source follower transistors 312 are turned off concurrently by setting all floating diffusion nodes 306 to a turn off voltage, for example 0.1 volts.

FIG. 5 illustrates the potential diagram of the photodiode 302, transfer gate TG and floating diffusion node FD. When the transfer transistor 304 is turned off by TX_EN going low at time t4, a barrier exists impeding charge transfer between photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306 which is shown by A. While the barrier A exists between the photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306, charge integration from a signal produced by light incident on the photodiode 302 occurs. Subsequently, as described below, when TX_EN goes high again, the barrier A falls to the level of Vbarrier allowing electrons to transfer from the photodiode 302 to the floating diffusion node 306. However, even when the transfer gate 304 is on, a small barrier may still remain so that not all electrons in the photodiode 302 are transferred to the floating diffusion node 306. Some electrons remain trapped at photodiode 302. However, because the photodiode 302 was initially coupled to the ROW_DRIVER signal, the trap was filled, i.e., precharged, with non-image electrons, so image electrons acquired in photodiode 302 during integration are not lost during the charge transfer to floating diffusion node 306 due to the small remaining barrier between the photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306 when the transfer transistor 304 is on.

FIG. 6 illustrates a timing diagram for the FIG. 3 circuit 300 during pixel readout, which occurs after the shutter timing depicted in FIG. 4 and the charge integration at photodiode 302 is completed. Initially, the floating diffusion nodes 306 of all pixels in an imager array 200 (FIG. 2) are set to a predetermined voltage, for example 0.1 volts to ensure that all source follower transistors 312 are turned off as described above when ROW_DRIVER is low, TX_EN is low and RST_EN is high at time t5 (FIG. 4). The ROW_DRIVER signal of the pixel intended to be read is pulsed high at time t8 (FIG. 6) providing an operating voltage across source follower transistor 312. The floating diffusion node 306 of the pixel intended to be sampled is then reset at time t9 by briefly turning on reset transistor 314 supplied with operating voltage by ROW_DRIVER and signal RST_EN going high, thereby resetting floating diffusion node 306 to a predetermined ROW_DRIVER voltage (for example, 3.3 volts). The reset voltage level on the floating diffusion node 306 is then applied to the gate of source follower transistor 312, which converts it to a reset output voltage V_(rst) on a column output line 313 (FIG. 3). The output signal is subsequently sampled at time t10, for example by a sample and hold circuit 265 (FIG. 2), where a high pulse SHR is used to sample and hold the reset output voltage V_(rst) onto a first sample and hold capacitor.

Charge stored in photodiode 302 from a previous integration period is then transferred to floating diffusion node 306 by signal TX_EN going high at time t11 thereby, turning on transfer transistor 304 and lowering the potential barrier in FIG. 5 to Vbarrier. The transferred charge lowers the voltage on the floating diffusion node 306 to a pixel output signal level, which is applied to the gate of source follower transistor 312. Source follower transistor 312, which is still supplied with operating voltage by ROW_DRIVER being high, converts the signal voltage level to a signal output voltage V_(sig) on the column output line. Sample and hold circuit 265 (FIG. 2) in response to a sample/hold pulse SHS at time t12 causes the pixel's signal output voltage V_(sig) on the column line to be stored in a second sample and hold capacitor.

After V_(sig) is sampled, the ROW_DRIVER signal is set to a low voltage above ground, for example 0.1 volts at time t13. Reset transistor 314 is briefly turned on again at time t14, setting floating diffusion node 306 to a low voltage, for example 0.1 volts and the pixel circuit is ready for a next image capture frame.

Since transfer transistor 304 is positioned between photodiode 302 and floating diffusion node 306, the floating diffusion node 306 can be reset prior to transferring electrons. This permits a correlated double sampling operation resulting in reduced kTC noise and image noise. A global array signal may be implemented to control multiple row drivers 310 and the reset transistors 308 in an imager array; however, the transfer transistor 304 and the reset transistor 308 are controlled individually for each pixel.

As noted above with respect to the FIG. 5 potential diagram, when the transfer transistor 304 is on at time t11, all of the charge stored in the photodiode 302 may not be transferred to the floating diffusion node 306 because the pinning potential Vpin of the photodiode 302 is higher than the barrier voltage Vbarrier. As a result, some of the electrons generated during the integration period are trapped at the photodiode 302. However because the trap sites were initially filled at time t2 with non-image electrons, no image charges are lost.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified pixel circuit 400 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. This modified embodiment adds to the FIG. 3 pixel 300 an anti-blooming transistor 414 coupled to voltage source V_(AA), which is a high voltage, for example 3.3 volts. The anti-blooming transistor 414 is controlled by gate signal AB.

Pixel circuit 400 operates like pixel circuit 300; however, pixel circuit 400 includes an anti-blooming transistor 414 to provide an overflow path when photodiode 302 is approaching saturation, to drain excess charge from photodiode 302 when it is overexposed during charge integration. It should be noted that even when transistor 414 is turned on by control signal AB, a high charge barrier V_(AB) (FIG. 5) is present between the photodiode 302 and anti-blooming transistor 414 that must be overcome, i.e. when photodiode 302 approaches saturation, before overflow charges are drained and flow through transistor 414.

FIG. 8 illustrates the shutter timing diagram for the FIG. 7 circuit. The control signals ROW_DRIVER, TX_EN and RST_EN operate according to that of pixel circuit 300 (FIG. 4). In addition, control signal AB controls the operation of anti-blooming transistor 414. When ROW-DRIVER and RST_EN are set high and TX_EN transitions from high to low, beginning charge integration in photodiode 302, signal AB is set to a constant voltage, for example 0.1 volts. This allows anti-blooming transistor 414 to provide a blooming path out of pixel circuit 400. With anti-blooming transistor 414 on during charge integration, the overflow path is created from the photodiode 302 to reduce over saturation by photodiode 302 during image acquisition, i.e., charge integration. Charge readout occurs using the same signal timing as that of the FIG. 3 circuit.

In a variation to the shutter timing for the FIG. 7 circuit, the AB signal could be pulsed high then held at a constant voltage, for example 0.1 volts, prior to charge integration. The pulsing of signal AB results in resetting pixel circuit 400. When signal AB is held at a constant voltage, an anti-blooming path is provided out of pixel circuit 400. In this instant, signal AB is pulsed and held for the rows that will be used to acquire an image, i.e., rows performing charge integration.

If the floating diffusion node 406 becomes saturated during charge transfer from photodiode 402 and electrons begin to overflow, these electrons will overflow into row driver 410 thereby providing an anti-blooming path for floating diffusion node 406.

FIG. 9 shows a processor system 900, which includes an imaging device 908 which is the same as FIG. 2, but as modified to use the pixels described herein. The imager device 908 may receive control or other data from system 900. System 900 includes a processor 902 having a central processing unit (CPU) that communicates with various devices over a bus 904. Some of the devices connected to the bus 904 provide communication into and out of the system 900; an input/output (I/O) device 906 and imager device 908 are such communication devices. Other devices which may be connected to the bus 904 provide memory, illustratively including a random access memory (RAM) 910, hard drive 912, and one or more peripheral memory devices such as a floppy disk or other memory drive 914 and compact disk (CD) drive 916. The imager device 908 may, in turn, be coupled to processor 902 for image processing, or other image handling operations. Examples of processor systems, which may employ the imager device 908, include, without limitation, computer systems, camera systems, scanners, machine vision systems, vehicle navigation systems, video telephones, surveillance systems, auto focus systems, image stabilization systems, and others.

The devices described above illustrate typical devices of many that could be used. The above description and drawings illustrate an embodiment, which achieves the features and advantages of the present invention. However, it is not intended that the present invention be strictly limited to the above-described and illustrated embodiment. Any modifications, though presently unforeseeable, of the present invention that come within the spirit and scope of the following claims should be considered part of the present invention. 

1. A method of operating a pixel of an image sensor comprising: accumulating charge in a photosensor; transferring said charge from said photosensor to a storage node; and selectively supplying operating power to said pixel to produce an output signal on an output line based on the charge at said storage node.
 2. A method of claim 1 further comprising reading out the charge residing on said output line.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to accumulating charge in the photosensor, the photosensor is charged with non-image electrons.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising removing said non-image electrons from the photosensor leaving some non-image electrons trapped at said photosensor.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said charge is transferred by turning on a transfer transistor and prior to said accumulation said transfer transistor is turned off.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising resetting the storage node to a predetermined charge level prior to transferring said charge.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising transferring overflow charge away from said photosensor during accumulating charge in the photosensor through an anti-blooming transistor.
 8. A method of reading charge from pixels of an image sensor comprising: providing an operating voltage across a source follower transistor; setting a floating diffusion node to a high reset voltage that exceeds a threshold turn-on voltage of the source follower transistor; turning on a transfer transistor to transfer a charge to the floating diffusion node changing it to a signal voltage; and reading a signal provided by the source follower transistor in response to the signal voltage.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising setting the floating diffusion node to a low reset voltage to turn off the source follower transistor.
 10. The method of claim 8, in which the row driver signal is a high signal, the high reset voltage is obtained from the high row driver signal.
 11. The method of claim 8 further comprising setting the floating diffusion node to a low reset voltage wherein said low reset voltage is above ground.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein said row driver signal is controlled by a global control signal.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein said transfer transistor is controlled by a row specific control signal.
 14. The method of claim 8 further comprising turning on an anti-blooming transistor to transfer overflow charge from a photosensor.
 15. A method of resetting a floating diffusion node comprising: applying a row driver signal to a channel terminal of a reset transistor, the row driver signal having high and low levels; and selectively applying a reset signal to a gate of said reset transistor to reset the floating diffusion node to one of the high and low levels.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said channel terminal is a source terminal of said reset transistor.
 17. A method of operating a pixel comprising: setting a storage node to a high reset voltage sufficient to turn on a source follower transistor; accumulating charge in a photosensor; turning on a transfer transistor; and transferring said charge from said photosensor to the storage node through said transfer transistor.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising transferring overflow charge away from said photosensor during said accumulation through an anti-blooming transistor.
 19. A method of operating a pixel comprising: providing a low signal to a channel terminal of a reset transistor that resets a floating diffusion node; turning on the reset transistor and a transfer transistor connected between the floating diffusion node and a photosensor; providing a high signal to the channel terminal of the reset transistor; turning off the transfer transistor; providing a low signal to the channel terminal of the reset transistor; and turning off the reset transistor.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising charging the photosensor with non-image electrons while the row driver signal is low and the reset transistor and transfer transistor turned on; and resetting said photosensor by turning off the transfer transistor while providing the high row driver signal, thereby removing a portion of said non-image electrons from said photosensor but leaving some non-image electrons in said photosensor.
 21. A method of operating a pixel comprising: providing a high signal to reset a storage node; sampling a reset output voltage provided by the resetting of said storage node; transferring accumulated charge to said storage node; and sampling a signal output voltage based on said transferring.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising: providing a low signal to the channel terminals after sampling the signal output voltage; and turning the reset transistor on and then off.
 23. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing a high signal to a first channel terminal of an anti-blooming transistor and a low signal to a gate terminal of said anti-blooming transistor, the anti-blooming transistor having a second channel terminal connected to the photosensor thereby permitting flow of charge away from the photosensor.
 24. A method of reading a pixel output signal comprising: providing a row driver signal to said pixel to provide an operating voltage to output an output signal based on voltage on a storage node; resetting a storage node to a predetermined reset voltage; reading out the output signal produced by said predetermined reset voltage; transferring photo-generated charge to said storage node to change said charge at said storage node to a signal voltage; and reading out the output signal based on the signal voltage.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising resetting said floating diffusion node to voltage above ground but below a voltage sufficient to turn on the source follower transistor.
 26. A method of operating a pixel comprising: applying a first operating voltage to said pixel which is above a ground potential and below a second operating voltage; using said first operating voltage to store non-image electrons in a photosensor; increasing said operating voltage from said first operating voltage to said second operating voltage to drive said non-image electrons from said photosensor; and using said photosensor to generate electrons from an acquired image.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said first and second operating voltage is provided by a row driver.
 28. A method of operating a pixel comprising: setting an operating voltage to a second operating voltage from a first operating voltage, said first operating voltage being above ground; resetting a storage node using said second operating voltage; transferring charge from a photosensor to a storage node; setting an operating voltage to said first operating voltage from said second operating voltage after said charge transfer; and resetting said storage node using said first operating voltage.
 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising sampling an output signal produced by charge on said storage node after said storage node is reset using the second operating voltage; and sampling an output signal produced by charge on said storage node after charge is transferred to said storage node from said photosensor.
 30. A method of operating a pixel comprising: providing an operating voltage across a reset transistor and a source follower transistor, the operating voltage having a high level and a low level; turning the reset transistor on and off to reset a storage node to the high or low level of the operating voltage; and turning a transfer transistor on and off to allow charge flow between a photosensor and the storage node, the source follower transistor providing an output signal for the pixel based on the storage node's voltage.
 31. A method of operating an array of pixels that includes rows, the method comprising: providing a row driver signal to a channel terminal of a reset transistor in each pixel in a row of the array and to a channel terminal of a source follower transistor in each pixel in the row; and turning the reset transistor on and off to reset a storage node in each pixel in accordance with the row driver signal; the storage node receiving charge from a photosensor in the pixel, the source follower transistor providing an output signal for the pixel based on the storage node's voltage.
 32. A pixel circuit for use in an imaging device, said pixel circuit comprising: a photosensor for generating charge during an integration period; a storage node for receiving said generated charge from said photosensor; and a readout circuit for reading out stored charge from said storage node, said readout circuit selectively receiving operating power and in response to the selective receipt of operating power at a predetermined level provides an output signal based on the charge accumulated at the storage node.
 33. The circuit of claim 32 further comprising a transfer transistor connected to said photosensor to transfer charge from said photosensor to said storage node.
 34. The circuit of claim 33, wherein said readout circuit comprises a source-follower transistor having a gate for receiving charge from the storage node, a first source/drain terminal for selectively receiving said operating power, and a second source/drain terminal coupled to a column line.
 35. The circuit of claim 34, wherein a turn off voltage for said source follower transistor is above a ground potential.
 36. The circuit of claim 32, wherein said readout circuit further comprises a reset transistor connected to said storage node for resetting the voltage on the storage node.
 37. The circuit of claim 32, wherein said storage node is at a first voltage prior to receiving charge from the transfer transistor.
 38. The circuit of claim 32, wherein said pixel is a three transistor pixel.
 39. The circuit of claim 32, wherein said pixel is a CMOS pixel.
 40. The circuit of claim 32 further comprising an anti-blooming transistor connected to said photosensor for providing an overflow path for electrons during said integration period.
 41. The circuit of claim 40, wherein said pixel is a four transistor pixel.
 42. A pixel circuit for use in an imaging device, said pixel circuit comprising: a photosensor for generating charge during an integration period; a transfer transistor connected to said photosensor to transfer charge from said photosensor; a storage node for receiving charge transferred by the transfer transistor; a reset transistor connected to said storage node for resetting the voltage on the storage node; a source-follower transistor connected to said reset transistor for receiving charge from the floating diffusion node; and operating power circuitry connected to said source follower transistor for providing operating power to said source follower transistor for outputting an output signal based on the charge accumulated at the storage node on an output line.
 43. The circuit of claim 42 further comprising an anti-blooming transistor connected to said photosensor for providing an overflow path for electrons during said integration period.
 44. The circuit of claim 42, wherein said pixel is a CMOS pixel.
 45. A pixel circuit for an imaging device comprising: a photosensor; a storage node; transfer circuitry that allows flow of charge between the photosensor and storage node; a source follower transistor that provides an output signal based on voltage of the storage node; a reset transistor that when turned on resets the storage node voltage; and operating voltage circuitry that provides an operating voltage across the source follower transistor and the reset transistor, the operating voltage having a high level and a low level.
 46. The pixel circuit of claim 45 in which the transfer circuitry includes a transfer transistor that allows flow of charge when turned on.
 47. An integrated circuit comprising: a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising: a photosensor for generating charge during an integration period; a storage node for receiving said generated charge from said photosensor; and a readout circuit for reading out stored charge from said storage node, said readout circuit selectively receiving operating power and in response to the selective receipt of operating power at a predetermined level provides an output signal based on the charge accumulated at the storage node.
 48. The integrated circuit of claim 47 in which each pixel further comprises a transfer transistor connected to said photosensor to transfer charge from said photosensor to said storage node.
 49. The integrated circuit of claim 47, wherein said readout circuit further comprises a reset transistor connected to the storage node for resetting the voltage on the storage node.
 50. The integrated circuit of claim 47, wherein said readout circuit further comprises a source-follower transistor having a gate for receiving charge from the storage node a first source/drain terminal for selectively receiving said operating power, and a second source/drain terminal coupled to a column line.
 51. The integrated circuit of claim 50, wherein a turn off voltage for said source follower transistor is above ground.
 52. The integrated circuit of claim 47 in which the pixels are in rows, the array further comprising a row driver coupled to selectively provide said operating power to each row of pixels.
 53. The integrated circuit of claim 47 further comprising an anti-blooming transistor connected to said photosensor for providing an overflow path for electrons.
 54. An imaging system comprising: a processor; and an imaging device comprising an array of pixels coupled to said processor, each pixel including: a photosensor for generating charge during an integration period, a storage node for receiving said generated charge from said photosensor, and a readout circuit for reading out stored charge from said storage node, said readout circuit selectively receiving operating power and in response to the selective receipt of operating power at a predetermined level provides an output signal based on the charge accumulated at the storage node.
 55. The system of claim 54 in which each pixel further comprises a transfer transistor connected to said photosensor to transfer charge from said photosensor to said storage node.
 56. The system of claim 54, wherein said readout circuit further comprises a source-follower transistor having a gate for receiving charge from a storage node, a first source/drain terminal for selectively receiving said operating power, and a second source/drain terminal coupled to a column line; and a row driver coupled to said source-follower transistor for providing said operating power to said pixel.
 57. The system of claim 56, wherein said row driver is controlled by a global control signal.
 58. The system of claim 54 further comprising an anti-blooming transistor connected to said photodiode for providing an overflow path for electrons. 